Cultural Diversity

Nepal is a country that is culturally highly diverse. From the southern plains of the Terai to the world’s highest peaks in the North, Nepal is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, all speaking their own language and possessing their own cultural traditions.

Acknowledging the importance of this diversity for the identity of Nepal’s people, as well as its importance for the development of the country, UNESCO is working towards the promotion of cultural diversity within Nepal.

For the promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions, the dialogue of cultures and civilizations, and a culture of peace, a series of events to promote the International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures was initiated. A key event was a conference organized by the National Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations of Nepal in 2010.

Within the framework of the protection and promotion of cultural and biological diversity, the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu chose the region of Upper Mustang for a pilot project to study the tangible and intangible heritage of the region. The research has defined an integrated framework for the cultural conservation and development of the region. With the aim of reaching a wider audience, the last two chapters of the report were translated into Nepali and the local language. This framework also provided a basis for UNESCO’s potential involvement in this area and will be used to define the role and commitment of the government in its effort to protect the region’s heritage.